The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-08-21
JOHN j. CRITTENDEN.
HOW HE HELPED TO KEEP KENTUCKY
IN THE UNION
Hcntuoky at the Opening OF tho war-Mr.
Crittenaen's Ecctiou-His Second CAM
paisu and HE Renomination--Mis Death.

LEXINGTON, KY, Aug. lion tho 4th Of
March, 1861, John J. Crittenden left tho Senate
Mr.. Lincoln was inaugurated President Of tho
United States, and now awful forebodings were
felt throughout the country. In deep sadness
Mr.. Crittenden returned homo with tho inten-
ton OF retiring from public life. thus seeking
that tranquility which. after 80 much effort
and 30 much agitation. he now in his old age
30 much NODDED. He had done what no could
to avert the storm, and now in darkness and
loneliness he retired to await tho event.
At this time Kentucky was largely Demo-
cratic and intensely pro-slavery. Her extreme
views had been exhibited by inserting In her
late Constitution most absurd provisions on
this subject. The Whig party. which for forty
years under the leadership Of Mr.. Clay had
maintained the ascendancy, had become
demoralized. and suffered dlsintegration.
The Know-Nothing party had risen like
meteor and had fallen like a meteor.
The hepublican party was rising into power.
in Kentucky, and, emerging from it's hong
force to the control OF the State. Each menu
sonai glory in its triumph. 4 Democratic dow
ernor had been elected and the Legislature
inridge had been elected to the senate Of tho
United States, and In him was. centred the
highest hopes q every indTdqnl q H the nar'y
Breckinrfdae became the idol Of the Demo:
cratic party, Young eloquent, graceful, and
miration. He now assumed the leadership in
the State. Circumstances had thrown him into
strong sympathy with the South IN It's present t
avoided tho position IN which he was placed;
but matters had gone beyond his eontrS ard I'd
q 5ad aby aSd 10 ueS
a leader as Mr.. Clay. he might now hnvo done
o great work for himself and his country.
period of her history 80 intensely PRO slavery.
ss Ssi Ss her PSSss y de SSsss
guinity. Many kentuckians had gone South
and made fortunes: they returned annually to
generally Democrats, and devoted to the in
q T4sSy this ada
with them. They denounced with fercenesss
oil ideas OF CHARACTERIZATION, or whatever tended
voices Of many Of the wlsest and best men
were suppressed by the overwhelming power
OF the Southern Democracy.
Of the Kentuckians; they had submitted quiet
y while there was no imminent danger. Deep
pS s ss to any
who settled the State had come out OF the
Revolution, and the sons OF such sires who had
listened by the winters fire to the tales OF their
suffering and their triumph. we'll knew what
the Union had cost and well appreciated the
Ol SoS Mssso ma f e January 1861 called the
at the Capito! on Monday, tho nth day Of Jan;
before t;. tho dsyolqpment Of tho trouble were
inrgely Breckenridge Democrats, and wore
mostly In sympathy With the e m9ye
in fearful condition. A small mum Der OF Brock
inridGe Democrats came out boldly ior tho
j. jacobs. alterward IL Colonel in the Federal
service and Lieutenant Governor OF Kentucky.
The State held no purer. nobler or Drawer man
than he. 1t was fortunate that there happened
to be in that Legislature some old W hies, men
Of ability and tried patriotism; JUDGES r; A.
venerable Judge Underwood, and offers. The
work done by these men deserves to be cher
ished with tho deepest gratitude. not only bv
whom they prevented from doing an act which
would have overwhelmed the State and them
But the Union men Of this Legislature found
mighty power outside Of tho Legislature. Some
tho Ordinance Of SECESSION, by the overbearinpG
spirit Of their leaders: those then who stu
This eou not be- done in a
lucky. The boldness and daring, of the Union
men was quite equal to that OF their alversa-
ries. and had the attempt been made In Ken
lucky to move In defiance OF the wis hes OF tho
people, it would have been resisted whatever
might hayo been the consequences. All this
Take up tho journals OF tho two Houses from
the beginning OF this called session, see tho
resolutions introduced, and one can hardly see
how Kentucky could have been saved from the
Yet these So men. BY their ability. prudence, and
skill, saved the State at this most fearful con-
juncture.. They were much aided IN thejrwork
den, who at their instance addressed the Log
islature. He well understood the situation,
and knew better than any other man what was
accomplished. On APRIL D, 1861, the Legtsla-
ture adjourned. All that the Union men desired
the the strong Union sentiment 81 Rentucxy.
And now tho contest Opened before the peo-
PIE OF KENTUCKY and the Union io men went bold;
those times when people are reused to q Just
appreciation OF the matters involved, and de-
Mr.. Lincoln called for n meeting OF Congress
on the Fourth Of July. 1861: All eyes were at
once turned TO Mr.. Cri,tenden and his services
was thought of by tho Union men,,
The noble old man h beard the call and did not
people was. now conferred in this election. The
late Democratic member, a strong Southern
t WHs G Ho% III Crtendns
State Ent the blood Of tho Union mon was up;
those Wo mao ior wears 1e mo n IN nn0
Mr. Crttendcn animated by his Intense pa
triotism and the stirring scenes around him,
moved through tho district with al the vlGor
and spirit OF young man. unbent by age:
His manly form erect, his voice clear and
thrilling. his ego blazing with all tho fervor
the hiEh ,reS;ponsibiiily his position inspired.
Crowds focked to listen to. him; the people
everywhere responded to his appeal; H9re
was seen one of those popular torrents which
moves the most Indifferent to action.
No ono don bted Mr.. Crttendens true posi-
ton. His patriotism embraced the whole co,lu-
try. and what he most earnestly desired was
tho union OF tho whole country. He believed
the war would, DO short one. He did not
he desired thar no and his State should TO in n
condition TO MD in tho settlement of all the
matters which should grow out OF tho war.
lie was elected by a large majority. Many
others OF the beSt men OF tho state wore sent
TO, Congress-, the most trusted men We're
no longer thought OF in Kentucky.
No one doubts that had Mr.. Crittendon fall
tered ut all, or had he pursued any other
course than he did kentucky would have been
lost to the Union; His personal influence In
much to prevent iniudicious action. His clo-
Quence and his great popularity secured tho
triumph Of the UaiVn mon in HIS district, and
the great confidence the whole state roposed
in him kent the State securely IN the Union
Should Kentucky mt that critical moment havo
cast her destiny with the South, who can cul-
culate what might have been the result. not
merely the great suffering at home but what